Digital Flipchart

My friend sent a follow up question about the subject of a personal world view.

His question was: “So getting back to a world view, how does one go about developing or shaping one? What does one base it on? Philosophy, theology, ethics?”

My response: “I think the first think I’d say is that people already HAVE a world view—but they probably don’t know it. Most have an uncritical, unexamined, world view based on naive notions about themselves, others, and how the world works. We get this view from our social network and context–our parents, community, church, schools, etc. (Some would call this the “formation” process). Most of us come into the awareness of our “world view” around the age of ten, when most people experience a “coming of age.” That phenomenon makes for great stories, and sometimes, great literature. Think about all the stories, novels, and movies made where the central charater is about 10-years-old.

“If one wants to grow beyond a provincial and naive world view, then two things are required: (1) experience, and (2) education. While one can argue that “the more the better” in getting those two things, there is something to be said about the QUALITY of each, also. In other words, it matters what KIND of experiences and education you get. Experiences include not only things that “happen to us,” but also the relationships in our lives. And education is not restricted to formal schooling, as you know.

“While there may be some basic orientations associated with a world view (inner-directed vs. outer-directed; confident vs. fearful; religious vs. secular, etc.), the fact is that most of us seem to have great capacity for holding a disparate repertoire of beliefs, values, and viewpoints—often contradictory. But a developed world view helps us sort feelings from concepts and beliefs, and allows us to articulate the rationale for why we hold the beliefs and principles that guide us. Therefore, it is a resource for discernment, giving us the capacity to say “yes” to some things in life and “no” to others. It gives us the ability to choose between the lessor of two evils or the greater of two goods when we need to.

“As to what a world view is based on, I suppose you can say that it can be based on a “philosophy” (which includes and encompases one’s ethics, since Axiology is a part of a philosophy). I think a theology can help shape a world view, depending on how you define it. But I perceive that the fact is that our experiences tend to shape our theology, rather than the other way around.

“One last thought about worldview: I don’t think one’s personal worldview is static. I don’t think one “arrives” at a permanent world view because we all mature, our thinking and values change, and our experiences constantly shapr us.”

He also said, “I have this personal challenge, I tend to look at both sides of an issue and see value or understand where they are coming from. It makes it hard to evaluate people/issues sometimes.”

My response: “That doesn’t sound too much like a liability. Often both “sides” are “right.” Being able to appreciate that, instead of engaging in either-or thinking, is something positive, I think. But if we are ever forced to choose a side, then your worldview, your informing philosophy, can help provide the responsible rationale for which side you choose.”

What are your thoughts?